On my 09 6.7 2500 how do I know if it needs regeneration? I have read about how city driving can clog up the system, but can't find anywhere to tell me how to know if it needs it. New to Diesels.

 

There isn't anything on your model year that tells you when your in regen.

The only way for you to tell is by the sound or performance change while in regen.

You can get a monitoring system like the edge CTS that lets you know but that's about it.

 

So, you are saying that when it needs regeneration it automatically goes into it? I wonder what sensors tell it to start the process? I'm very conscious on my mainentance resonsibilities, but sometimes its difficult to track the information down. I didn't get an Owners manual and had to go online to find one, also the manual for the diesel is separate from the gas models. Not sure if this is an effect, but my 2009 seems to be caught in a limbo between the other 3rd gen trucks, Thanks for the info.

 

Yes it automatically starts the required regen.
With that said, there are 4 kinds of regen the truck automatically does when required.

For the dpf it watches the differential pressure to calculate soot loading and when to regen. It also used a timer to trigger one at given intervals.

This is the one you normally see or feel.

Read this for more info:
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...2/#post3251257

 

XCC_RIDER,That article on regeneration was technical, but very helpful. Now the question is how do I get the exhaust temp high enough to initiate REgen? Is this an hour at highway speeds? or is there some other formula to get her hot enough for it to kick in. I don't think it has ever been run hard and fast. It has 80k on it, but I got virtually no information from the precious owner. Nothing about fluid changes or parts replaced. I love the truck, it came as a package with a 21 foor fifthwheel. Maybe I sould hitch up the trailer and get her out on the hiway for an hour or so? Thanks for you help.

 

When regen starts the ecm closes the egr valve and injects fuel into the cylinders during the exhaust stroke.
This fuel is burnt in the exhaust and increases the exhaust temperature to initiate the soot burn.

Without knowing when it's in regen there's really nothing you can do to help it successfully complete a regen cycle.

What really helped me was adding the Edge CTS gauges. It let's me monitor some very important sensors and let me know when I'm in regen. (When I had all the equipment on the truck that is)

Knowing when you're in regen is helpful in that you can continue to drive until the regen cycle is completed.
One big killer of dpfs is frequent incomplete regens.

If you drive a lot of short trips (ie: grocery getter style) then it is useful to head out for a weekly 25 mile hiway drive to allow it to complete a successful regen cycle.

Towing definitely helps get the exhaust temps up and can also keep the turbo clean too.
It's not necessary to do so but it is helpful.

A few things I would like to mention.

I highly recommend the Edge CTS for monitoring trans temp, boost, fuel rail pressure, exhaust temperature and if stock, regen status.

Do the egr valve and cooler cleaning service around every 50-60 k miles. (A stuck or sticking egr valve is another dpf killer)

Change your fuel filter per the scheduled maintenance in the owners manual. This will keep your injectors clean and reduce the risk of one sticking open. (Another dpf killer)

If your truck is used for short drives the choose to take it once on a while on a longer drive instead of using the wife's car.
This will help keep everything working as it should.

 

Geat advice, I did look up the edge CTS, but man are they expensive! I noticed several different edge products, is it possible to get a cheaper basic one since my truck is stock all the through?
I'll definitly be taking the rig out on the road. I can get up to 65-70 mph on I-5 going south from Portland. If I take it down to Salem and back that should be an hour and a half. hopefully if it needs it it will kick in.

 

There are some app based gauge systems that use your phone and Bluetooth obd adapter. They're inexpensive but you'll have to do some research on what they will display.

Don't overthink the regen process. If it needs to run, it will without you knowing about it.

IF you drive grocery-getter style then yes an occasiooccasional hyway drive will help keep the dpf clean.